asterisk

[ as-tuh-risk ]

See synonyms for asterisk on Thesaurus.com

noun

a small starlike symbol (*), used in writing and printing as a reference mark or to indicate omission, doubtful matter, etc.
Linguistics. the figure of a star (*) used to mark an utterance that would be considered ungrammatical or otherwise unacceptable by native speakers of a language, as in * I enjoy to ski.

Historical Linguistics. the figure of a star (*) used to mark a hypothetical or reconstructed form that is not attested in a text or inscription.
something in the shape of a star or asterisk.
any factor or element that makes an otherwise outstanding achievement somewhat doubtful or less impressive: Two favorites were injured in practice, so his win comes with an asterisk attached.
a minor or insignificant person or thing: his unlikely rise from an asterisk in the polls to the winning candidate.

verb (used with object)

to mark with an asterisk.

Origin of asterisk

1350–1400; Middle English <Latin asteriscus<Greek asterískos, diminutive of astḗrstar

pronunciation note For asterisk

While asterisk is usually said as

[as-tuh-risk], /ˈæs tə rɪsk/, with the [s] /s/ in the final syllable preceding the [k], /k/, a metathesized pronunciation is also heard, in which the [s] /s/ and [k] /k/ change places producing

[as-tuh-riks]. /ˈæs tə rɪks/. This pronunciation, resulting in part from analogy with plural forms like kicks and sticks, can sometimes lead to a false analysis of

[as-tuh-riks] /ˈæs tə rɪks/ as a plural pronunciation, with a corresponding singular

[as-tuh-rik]. /ˈæs tə rɪk/. The metathesized pronunciation, although occasionally heard among educated speakers, is usually considered nonstandard, as is the pronunciation of the singular form with no [s] /s/ in the final syllable.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use asterisk in a sentence

In following the operations it must be remembered that a figure asterisked represents a counter taken from the board.
The Earliest Arithmetics in English | Anonymous
Frau Dremmel's place at the table—she had pulled her chair close up to it—was asterisked with begun and abandoned cakes.
The Pastor's Wife | Elizabeth von Arnim
The asterisked page numbers have been changed to 63A and 64A.
The History of Painting in Italy, Vol. V (of 6) | Luigi Antonio Lanzi
Use the index to find the page of a bird, then use the number, if asterisked, to find the bird in the colored plate index.
An Australian Bird Book | John Albert Leach
The asterisked names denote those who also constituted with 11 others the first members of Girton College (p. 321).
Cambridge | Mildred Anna Rosalie Tuker

British Dictionary definitions for asterisk

asterisk

/ (ˈæstərɪsk) /

noun

a star-shaped character (*) used in printing or writing to indicate a cross-reference to a footnote, an omission, etc
- (in historical linguistics) this sign used to indicate an unattested reconstructed form
- (in descriptive linguistics) this sign used to indicate that an expression is ungrammatical or in some other way unacceptable

verb

(tr) to mark with an asterisk

Origin of asterisk

C17: from Late Latin asteriscus a small star, from Greek asteriskos, from astēr star

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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